JetBlue extending free Fly-Fi trial

Want free in-flight internet on JetBlue flights? You’re in luck! The company indicated this week that they are extending the free trial period for their Fly-Fi service as they continue to work out kinks in the system. The current pricing plan includes a free option and a $9/hour premium option which supports streaming media and other high-bandwidth applications. That will now continue for the near future.

Speaking about the decision Jamie Perry, JetBlue’s Director of Product Development, noted that there are still some bugs in the system ranging from the satellite connectivity to beam handoff to the portal software on the planes. All of those need to be addressed before it comes out of beta mode and is considered a product for sale to consumers. And even at that time there is no guarantee that free is going away. Company officials have previously suggested that they’d prefer it remain free, possibly via a sponsorship rather than charging passengers for the base service. Of course, that means signing on the right sponsor and working out those details.